Featured Podcasts

Talking Biotech: Insect Gene Drives, Part 1

Gene drives are a powerful technology that may be used to control pests. The concepts key off of exploiting genetic vulnerabilities that are rapidly inherited, and cause populations to crash over a short time. Such instances happen naturally, but now scientists are engineering the genetics of pests to induce steep population declines from gene drives. Dr. Fred Gould from NC State University discusses the technology, its risks, regulation and some of the social aspects of application of the science.

Talking Biotech: Insect Gene Drives, Part 2

Dr. Jennifer Kuzma received her training in biochemistry, and then later found herself working in social sciences. In this pod, Dr. Kuzma speaks with Dr. Paul Vincelli (@Pvincell) about the social and political considerations of gene drives. She discusses ethics, policy and regulation, as well surprising imperatives where gene drives may be necessary for conservation or human health.

First in Future: GES Center Co-Director Jennifer Kuzma

Dr. Jennifer Kuzma speaks with Leslie Boney, Director of the Institute for Emerging Issues (IEI) at NC State on the First in Future podcast. In this pod, Dr. Kuzma discusses gene edited mosquitoes, the ethics of Ancestry.com, DIYbio, and why Millennials give her hope. Plus, her book recommendations – Rise of the Robots by Martin Ford – and which Bob Dylan song best summarizes her view of the future. Read more

Length: 38 minutes

The Ability To Edit Genes Raises Big Questions On Regulation

GES Senior Research Scholar Dr. Todd Kuiken speaks with Frank Stasio about the latest research into synthetic biology, some of the opportunities these technologies present, potential drawbacks and conversations we are or should be having about their regulation.

INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHT – On the promise of synthetic biology:

One of the promises, so to speak, that people are looking at utilizing CRISPR is to deal with disease vectors. So malaria is transmitted by mosquitoes. If you could utilize these techniques say, for instance, for engineering a genetic trait that would either make all of the offspring infertile … Over time that population of mosquitoes could potentially die out. Read more

Science Vs GMO... OMG?

Science Vs peels back the label on GM foods to find out whether they’re safe to eat and what impact they can have on the environment. Both sides of the debate have written impassioned songs, but what does the science say? We talk to Prof. Fred Gould, Dr. Janet Cotter, and Prof. David Douches to find out.

Length: 44 minutes

Are we prepared for our gene altered future?

A biologist releases genetically modified mosquitoes in the city on February 11, 2016 in Piracicaba, Brazil. (Victor Moriyama/Getty Images)Source: CBC Radio’s Quirks and Quarks with Bob McDonald
March 25, 2017

White button mushrooms that don’t brown. Crops resistant to infection. Lab-grown meat. Chickenless eggs. Fragrant moss for your home. Gene drives to wipe out pest species. Even synthetic embryos for research. The list of new biotech products in development goes on and on.

Scientists Closer To Creating A Fully Synthetic Yeast Genome

Todd Kuiken speaks with All Things Considered about the impact of synthetic biology on society, including possible dangers.

Excerpt

That prospect worries some biologists, environmentalists, bioethicists and others. The concern is that synthetic microbes, plants or animals might damage the environment in unpredictable ways if they’re released either accidentally or on purpose.

“You can think of it of like introducing an invasive species into a different environment,” says Todd Kuiken, a senior research scholar at North Carolina State University’s Genetic Engineering and Society Center. “It will have some type of impact to the system.” Read more

Length: 4 minutes

Talking Biotech #67: The National Academies Report on Genetic Engineering

The National Academies of Science is one of the most respected scientific organizations on the planet, composed of well-established scientists and other scholars that perform important functions in vetting scientific claims and steering scientific agendas of a nation. Every several years the NAS commissions a review of the literature on genetic engineering in crop plants. Over the last several years the NAS appointed a diverse group do perform the 3rd such comprehensive evaluation. Dr. Fred Gould was the Chair of that group, and speaks with Dr. Paul Vincelli about the charge to the committee and some of the outcomes.

Radio in Vivo: Future Biotech Policy

Guest: Dr. Jennifer Kuzma, Goodnight-NC GSK Foundation Distinguished Professor, School of Public and International Affairs, and Co-Director, Genetic Engineering and Society (GES) Center, North Carolina State University